Weekend Rumblings - News for April 26, 2025

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Can Jac play outfield?

Anne Rogers writes about the big day for Salvador Perez on Thursday that led to a busted belt.

Perez thinks Ragans was the one to hang the broken belt up in the dugout.

A good luck charm, maybe — or just a symbol of Perez’s great doubleheader day.

“I don’t know,” Perez said, shaking his head. “I’m too heavy.”

Or Bobby Witt Jr.’s perspective: “That’s what happens when you’re that fast. The friction of the dirt and everything just breaks it.”

Pete Grathoff noted it was one of the best doubleheader performances ever.

Jaylon Thompson writes that Bobby Witt Jr. had a career-high 16-game hit streak through Thursday (he extended it to 17 on Friday).

“I’ve just got to keep putting together good at-bats,” Witt said. “I still don’t think I’m where I need to be. And just so day by day we are going to get better.

“That’s what it’s all about. Just keep preparing how I’m preparing and take it one day at a time. Just keep trying to make at-bats to help the team.”

Kenny Van Doren at MLB.com covers Jac Caglianone’s first game in the outfield.

Caglianone drifted back to the warning track and reeled in a line drive for the Naturals in the second inning — his first putout as an outfielder. By the end of the 4-2 loss to Tulsa, he had notched four outs in his first professional start in the outfield.

Vahe Gregorian went to Arkansas to see for himself.

For all his enthralling feats of strength and evident progress, for all the Royals’ offensive issues, the club won’t rush Caglianone here.

Not because they don’t covet what they hope he will soon-ish provide.

But because they view this, his first full season in professional baseball, as a crucial and fundamental baseline step.

Perhaps it’s not unlike what they recently prescribed for another gem-in-the-making, Bobby Witt Jr., who in 2021 spent several months with the Naturals before being promoted to Triple-A Omaha and making his major-league debut in 2022.

And, no, their judgment apparently won’t be skewed by the aching needs at Kauffman Stadium.

“That’s the worst time to bring a guy up … especially one that’s a high-profile player,” general manager J.J. Picollo said in a recent interview with The Star.

The Royals introduced a new line of gear for women designed by wives and partners of players and coaches.

David Lesky covers the Rockies series.

The Nats turn a triple play against the Mets - or did they?

Tommy Pham is suspended one game for an obscene gesture to fans.

The Mets sign reliever Brooks Raley.

MLB.com writes about the teams whose playoff chances have changed the most since the start of the season.

The bottom of the Cubs’ order is powering one of the top offenses in baseball.

Can this year’s Rockies be as bad as last year’s White Sox?

An MRI shows no structural damage for Blake Snell.

The Cubs had a trade to acquire Jesús Luzardo last off-season, but backed out due to medical concerns.

Are the Red Sox the best team in the American League?

This year’s draft marks the end of the Bryce Young trade and it looks like the Bears got a haul.